1990Yamaha 175 Steering Issue?

[111torrance111]

I have a 1990 175 Yamaha I recently purchased, finally made a stand I could put it on and start working on it. My issue is now that it's on the stand I can't seem to move the motor from side/side. It has an hydraulic steering setup, it looks like it's currently disconnected which I assume means I should be able to move the motor. Is there something I'm missing or is this motor stuck? See photos..

Thanks/Jerry

 

[111torrance111]

After a little checking it seems the "steering Tube" is frozen and doesn't let the motor move at all, I originally listed it as a steering problem and didn't get any advice.

Now, I need to find a way to clean/correct the problem. What is the best way to approach this? Currently of the boat and sitting on a motor stand.

Thanks/Jerry

 

[racerone]

If the motor will not turn then likely you need to overhaul the pivot tube on the motor.----Likely lots of corrosion that needs to be cleaned up.----Can be frustrating work.----Salt water I assume.-----Regular greasing / inspection is a must.

 

[Sea Rider]

Yep long tedious hand work, the steering shaft must be greased periodically specilly if the motor works in salt water...

Meanwhile deciding if tearing down the steering shaft and the swivel bracket or not squirt an overdose of WD-40 on both swivel bracket's ends to lubricate the internal bushings, hopefully will penetrate and loosen the steering shaft.

Happy Boating​

 

[Faztbullet]

Get ya one of these and pump penetrating oil into steering shaft thru zerks.
Amazon.com: Innovative Products Of America 7862 Grease Joint Rejuvenator: Automotive

 

[111torrance111]

Get ya one of these and pump penetrating oil into steering shaft thru zerks.
Amazon.com: Innovative Products Of America 7862 Grease Joint Rejuvenator: Automotive

I've raised the motor in an attempt to find the Zerk fittings, don't see any anywhere on the tube. I did purchase a manual but it's to generic to give any good information for this type of issues.
Also doesn't seem like there's a place spraying any kind of penetrating oil would work.

I'll keep at it..

 

[Sea Rider]

Check if the motor has a protruding bolt on the upper swivel bracket which is used for increasing/decreasing the steering load, if so, remove bolt and spray any penetrating oil directly or aided with the Joint Rejuvenator tool. Check if there's also a grease nipple somewhere around the lower swivel bracket to hook a grease gun.

Happy Boating​

 

[Sea Rider]

Any progress so far ? The issue with an extremely seized steering shafts is that the upper and lower internal bushings can be already seized to the steering shaft and the upper and lower outer bushings already seized to the swivel bracket's interior, worse nightmare ever. If the penetrating oil pumped inside the swivel bracket by a rejuvenator or a pressure tool doesn't work ...​

will need to remove the powerhead from the pan, disconnect the shift rod, disconnet middle and lower leg to have handy a bare swivel bracket/steering assy so to unlock both with a much easier access...

Happy Boating​

 

[111torrance111]

Any progress so far ? The issue with an extremely seized steering shafts is that the upper and lower internal bushings can be already seized to the steering shaft and the upper and lower outer bushings already seized to the swivel bracket's interior, worse nightmare ever. If the penetrating oil pumped inside the swivel bracket by a rejuvenator or a pressure tool doesn't work ...​

View attachment 333094

will need to remove the powerhead from the pan, disconnect the shift rod, disconnet middle and lower leg to have handy a bare swivel bracket/steering assy so to unlock both with a much easier access...

Happy Boating​

After reading your reply last week I did find a zerk fitting on the lower section of the steering tube, I removed the zerk fitting and tried spraying a lubricant in the hole.
Didn't work very good, I then purchased a good new grease gun and filled it with a lubricant and pumped it in, seem to go in good.

Let it set over night and tried moving with a heavy breaker bar that fit around the steering arm, it started to move and little easier then got tight again. Then refilled with grease, grease came out the lower section as you'd expect, but not loosening up like you'd think. Still trying.

In your earlier post and the photo you have attached it shows a screw with the spring on it, I don't see this on the 175 hp, How can I confirm if my motor has this somewhere? It would seems that once I got it moving back/forth it should just get easier, That's why I suspect it might be this type of bolt somewhere. The manual I purchased is useless for these types of repairs.

Thanks for helping out..

Jerry

 

[Faztbullet]

The V-6 and V-4 motors do not have a friction screws..Only small tiller motors from 50hp down...

 

[Sea Rider]

See if you can insert a syringe filled with lacquer thinner on the upper bushing located right in middle of the upper steering shaft/swivel bracket assy at both sides as to soften the dried grease if possible going that route.

Most times it's useless filling the entire swivel bracket with grease via a grease gun or equivalent. What's extremely seized will be kept seized forever specially if the motor is used in salt water and sat unused for long time period which is bad. You're right the swivel bracket might turn a bit giving high hopes to be able to unlock itself to latter jam itself again, been there myself to experience the frustration.

Last resource, lay motor on a flat surface and squirt an overdose of laquer thinner throught the removed grease nipple and let soak overnight and try again, good luck!!

Happy Boating​

 

[Sea Rider]

Last, last resource, lay motor on a flat surface and squirt an overdose of Brake Fluid throught the removed grease nipple, let soak overnight and try again...

Happy Boating​

 

[Fed]

I have had success with Mercs by binding around the bottom with cloth tape then securing with a worm drive hose clamp to stop the grease coming out the bottom & forcing it out the top instead.
If my memory serves me I think I may have also warmed it up just a little.

 

[Sea Rider]

Unlocking any truly seized tiller shaft/swivel bracket assy will depend entirely on how tight both plastic bushings have seized themselves onto the shaft and internal swivel bracket as explained in post 8.

Regreasing through the lower grease nipple with a grease gun for the grease to exit the upper bushing will only be possible if there's a tiny gap in between both mentioned parts to cope with such procedure.

During my removal frustration have even poured boiled water on the entire assy while submerged in a big container for the grease to cede with no avail as you'll be also dealing with excessive salt crusts, extremely rusted parts seized altogether...

Happy Boating​

 

[111torrance111]

Unlocking any truly seized tiller shaft/swivel bracket assy will depend entirely on how tight both plastic bushings have seized themselves onto the shaft and internal swivel bracket as explained in post 8.

Regreasing through the lower grease nipple with a grease gun for the grease to exit the upper bushing will only be possible if there's a tiny gap in between both mentioned parts to cope with such procedure.

During my removal frustration have even poured boiled water on the entire assy while submerged in a big container for the grease to cede with no avail as you'll be also dealing with excessive salt crusts, extremely rusted parts seized altogether...

Happy Boating​

Progress Update:

Been trying the different suggestions on this post, I have gone from No movement at all using a a big hammer to being able to move it back/forth using a pipe as a prybar. It's not loose enough yet for even hydraulic steering to move it but am making progress. This weekend I'll be taking it off the stand and trying the brake fluid idea while laying on its side tilted a bit so the fluid runs toward the top, I'll let it sit overnight and put it back on the stand. The heat seems to helps as I progress through this. I still have hopes of success, but I'll need another week or so to figure it out.

Really appreciate all the advice to date.

Jerry

 

[111torrance111]

Progress Update:

Been trying the different suggestions on this post, I have gone from No movement at all using a a big hammer to being able to move it back/forth using a pipe as a prybar. It's not loose enough yet for even hydraulic steering to move it but am making progress. This weekend I'll be taking it off the stand and trying the brake fluid idea while laying on its side tilted a bit so the fluid runs toward the top, I'll let it sit overnight and put it back on the stand. The heat seems to helps as I progress through this. I still have hopes of success, but I'll need another week or so to figure it out.

Really appreciate all the advice to date.

Jerry

Alright.. (Final Update)

I tried laying it on a flat surface with the Powerhead lower then the prop, filled the cylinder with brake fluid over a 2 day period. I just put it back on the stand and tried moving it again. Although it seem a little easier then before it was still hard to move. Put new grease in the Zerk fitting and that went back to getting tighter.

Now I have 2 Choices:

1: Sell it for parts and be done with it..

2: Find a good mid section and try to swap it out, I know this is a big job. But the motor has great compression and everything is working find.

Anyway, Truly appreciate all the advise and support. Now I'll be going out for a boat ride.

Jerry

 

[Faztbullet]

Being a salty dog...sell it and move on unless you like lessons in heating,beating and broken bolt removal

 

[Sea Rider]

As you have witnessed it's useless adding new whichever grease to an extremely seized steering shaft/swivel bracket assy.

With motor sitting on a stand, remove both lower mounting brackets, pass a large metal tube through both lower shaft's orifices of equal diameter (2). Check if possible to access the lower shaft while the motor it's still mounted on the steering shaft.​

With one soul rotating the upper motor pan or steering shaft sideways and another one doing same at same time, the lower shaft will surely loosen a bit, if budges keep doing it till slides freely as possible. Once there install both lower mounting brackets and fill the entire hollow tube with marine grease. Rotate motor sideways for the grease to penetrate well inside the hollow tube.

Only 4 bolts, 2 upper, 2 lower ones attaches the motor's middle section onto the swivel bracket if plan removing it, will probably need to remove the powerhead from pan to access and remove the gear cases's shift rod...

Happy Boating​